Poll

Opinion

For the last three weeks I have read with interest the articles in the Magnet concerning the Wet/Dry vote. After the first one I thought, well the next one will be more balanced. After the second one I thought, I really ought to write a letter to the editor. But after the last article, I simply had to respond.

I believe in the separation of church and state - but maybe not like you do. I believe in the way it was originally intended. Most people don’t even know how this came about, so I’ll quote the author, Pres.Thomas Jefferson, as he wrote a letter to the local Baptist association after they requested he step it up and take a stand...

For the first time in 16 years, The Spencer Magnet will raise its newsstand price effective October 7. Since 1993, single copies have sold for 50 cents, it will now take three quarters to purchase the newspaper at area retailers and paper boxes.

Anytime the price of a good or service goes up, consumers are faced with a choice. But, before you make the decision to forego next week’s edition, permit me the opportunity to convince you otherwise.

Isn’t it funny how two little letters can change the meaning of a word so much. Look at how we can turn “famous” in to “infamous”. Famous as defined by the dictionary is to be widely known and celebrated. Infamous is defined as having a reputation of the worst kind.

Our county judge has become widely known because of all the recent media coverage. Certainly, he must be considered famous as defined by Mr. Webster.

Wednesday morning as I made my travels around town as usual, I was headed home when all at once I saw what would turn out to be a very humbling experience.

It should not have surprised me knowing Bill Goodlett as I do. I remember one time when he walked and hitchhiked all the way from Washington State to Taylorsville to visit his dying sister. By the way he made it.

I’m writing because when we pay for a lot to lay our love ones in, we really still have no say so over it.

I paid for a lot to put my dad and I can’t do anything up there I want to do. I can’t put up a cross behind the headstone and he is at the fence row. I own one grave at the left of him and three at the right of him.

I was told my flower bed had to come down. The glass stuff on it had to go and letters were being sent to others over the same things. Nothing on the sides of the head stones; only 12 inches in front of it.

A single-payer health care system would ensure everyone had affordable insurance. I would like to correct a lot of misinformation floating around about the single-payer system. Some is politics and some is lack of knowledge.

Misinformation – some are spreading lies that government programs are not efficient.

According to the October 10, 2004, Courier Journal Business news, Exxon, Chevron, BP and Royal Dutch/Shell profits were 80 percent higher than the previous year. Current postings show that the nation’s 2nd largest oil company had a profit of $18.7 billion in 2007. Imagine what the combined profits of all the oil companies were. Guess who is paying for these profits?

Imagine what Spencer County would look like if it was not for the countless volunteers taking the responsibility upon themselves to make our hometown a better place to live. Not a pretty picture, huh?

Last week in the sports pages of the Spencer Magnet, there were two pictures that exemplify what volunteers can accomplish with a little bit of heart and a whole lot of muscle. The first was an image of the Spencer County Youth Football Association constructing a two-story structure that will serve as the Stallions’ new concession stand, restroom facility and press box.

I requested that my daughter (who attends Spencer County Middle School) not view the president’s speech last Tuesday. As a former 8th grade Science teacher, here, and in Spencer County, let’s just say I wasn’t happy with the original lesson plan the U.S. Department of Education had sent to school district’s across this great nation.

It is official, I understand, the petition has been certified and there will be a wet/dry vote this October. It is about time the voters in this county are allowed to be heard! Unfortunately, our county leaders, elected and otherwise, have a long history of denying the citizens of this county their right to vote.

In fiscal year 2008 there were 66,586 visitors entering the Spencer County Public Library. The library is open 2,418 hours per year. Our collections total 27,547 books, audios and videos, with an annual circulation of materials numbering 82,757. Aggressive weeding of non-circulated materials in all areas, coupled with increased purchasing of new titles, has greatly improved selections available to our patrons.

We would like to take this opportunity to offer a big thank you to all the local merchants, restaurants, and businesses who donated items, gift certificates, and cash donations that helped to make “Queen for a Day” a success!

A few weeks ago I had an opportunity, for the first time in many years, to revisit Taylorsville and Spencer County. I not only came to see friends, I wanted to see the place where part of my roots are.

My maternal grandfather, Leonard C. Warren, was a native of Spencer County and his brother, Charlie Warren, ran the pool hall that was in the building The Spencer Magnet now occupies. I barely knew great uncle Charlie, having met him only once, so long ago that I cannot remember when.